This Week In Island History

The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from the Jamestown Press. The news of 100 years ago came from the collection of the Newport Historical Society.

100 years ago

From the Newport Journal, Nov. 15, 1912

The heaviest rainfall of the past six months fell late Thursday afternoon and throughout the night.

Considering the lateness of the season there was a large number of excursionists on the island Sunday, including several parties to fish from the rocks at Beavertail and the Dumplings. The fish, while quite plentiful, were small.

75 years ago

From the Newport Daily News, Nov. 12, 1937

Armistice Day was observed with all the organizations participating in the parade, which assembled at the waterfront on the east shore.

From the Newport Daily News, Nov. 17, 1937

There is a strong possibility that a favorable decision will be reached at a meeting of the board of directors of the Jamestown & Newport Ferry Company tonight or Thursday as to continuance of the West Ferry for the winter months.

50 years ago From the Newport Daily News,

Nov. 13, 1962

The Armistice Day parade in Jamestown yesterday was led by Col. John C. Rembijas as marshal. The Assumption Band of Fairhaven, Mass., provided the music for the parade, which commenced at the Shoreby Hill entrance, continued along Narragansett Avenue, and returned to the East Ferry. From the Newport Daily News,

Nov. 14, 1962

A second civil defense course on “Survival in Disaster” will commence at the Jamestown school on Saturday.

25 years ago From the Newport Daily News,

Nov. 12, 1987

The first snowstorm of the season caught Newport County residents by surprise this morning. Six to 8 inches of snow fell on the area early this morning. From the Newport Daily News,

Nov. 17, 1987

The Town Council voted Monday to support the School Committee’s plan to build a $3.1 million addition to the Jamestown school. The design would add 39,400 square feet to the building, which now houses grades K through 8 in 53,700 square feet. It will add 12 new classrooms. The design also includes a 2,176-square-foot library.

15 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Nov. 13, 1987

Town officials learned last week that the Army Corps of Engineers has provisionally approved a permit that would allow William J. Geib of West Warwick to locate an aquaculture farm off Conanicut Island.

The Town Council Monday voted unanimously to establish a Highway Barn Committee to determine the exact site, size, basic layout and maximum space needed for a new highway equipment garage.

10 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Nov. 14, 2002

By consensus, the Town Council said Tuesday it will continue to review possible highway barn locations, after spending 90 minutes mainly on the recently revived Fort Wetherill site.

At the Nov. 7 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Katherine Sipala introduced a $9.3 million spending plan that will exceed last year’s budget by more than $1 million.